Dimensions of value: Understanding the role and meaning of shell valuables in the Melanesian past and present

贝壳贵重物品在许多美拉尼西亚社会中至关重要，将人们与彼此、土地和祖先联系在一起。虽然贝壳制品在美拉尼西亚考古遗址中很常见，但目前还无法区分其类型和价值水平。通过在所罗门群岛进行民族考古调查和深入研究博物馆的民族学收藏，该项目旨在开发工具，使考古学家能够更好地解释不同贝壳手工艺品的性质及其生产、使用和丢弃的社会背景。在这样做的过程中，它将加强对美拉尼西亚社会及其随着时间的推移而发生的变化的理解。

Shell valuables are fundamentally important in many Melanesian societies, linking people to each other, the land and their ancestors. Although shell artefacts are frequent in Melanesian archaeological sites, presently it is not possible to discriminate between types and levels of value. Through ethnoarchaeological enquiry in the Solomon Islands and intensive studies of museum ethnographic collections, this project aims to develop tools to allow archaeologists to better interpret the nature of different shell artefacts and the social contexts of their production, use and discard. In doing so, it will enhance understandings of Melanesian societies and their transformations through time.